Pursued

Psalm 35:5-6 Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away! Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them!

In the Psalms, David often cried out to God to smite his enemies. I am sure that is his intent here in Psalm 35. But as a dear loved one of mine who has yet to accept Christ as her Savior lies dying in a hospital far away, this verse has taken on a new meaning for me.

The old way of harvesting wheat, done for centuries before modern farm equipment came on the scene, was to throw the wheat up in the air. The chaff would separate from the grain and fly off in the wind. The good grain would be relieved of that burden clinging to it and fall to the ground. But can the reverse also be true? Can the grain be our burdens, shortcomings and hurts that have been growing for years and years in our heart? Can God, in His mercy, release us from that burden so we can, like chaff, feel free and light as air. Then our souls can soar carefree on the wind of faith, and be led where God wants, with angels driving it away from whatever was in the past that blocked us from God’s grace.

Often times, it is when things are the darkest and slipperiest that people finally realize they need a force in their life stronger than themselves. They at last call out to this Jesus they have heard about, this loving God that their friend or family member always turns to for strength. As my loved one slips into death, I pray that God is sending angels to pursue her and be there at the end, so when her soul is released she can be at peace and soar like the chaff into eternal arms. I pray, then, finally, those nail scarred hands will at last hold her tight until we meet again at the foot of His throne.